5.1.2012 Mitsubishi expands EV dealership network

Mitsubishi Motors in the UK has announced that all its franchised dealers are to become fully functioning Mitsubishi Electric Vehicle Centres starting from January 2012.

By the end of March 2012, the approved dealerships will have two fully trained EV sales personnel as well as aftersales technicians. The move is particularly exciting as Mitsubishi Motors looks forward to the arrival of its first plug-in hybrid technologies that are due to arrive in the UK within the next 18 months.

Mitsubishi Motors was the first manufacturer in the world to mass produce an electric vehicle and Lance Bradley, Managing Director of UK Mitsubishi Motors, has reiterated Mitsubishi's intentions to continue to promote and establish the electric vehicle and plug-in hybrid technology in the UK market place.

Lance said, "The Pure EV i-MiEV has now been a reality for the last year with lots more new plug-in hybrid technology and vehicles to come to the UK soon. Our dealer network will provide excellent service and be able to offer the best advice to our retail and fleet customers."

"Staff will undertake an extensive training programme so that there is a very clear understanding of the demands and requirements of electric vehicles for consumers, as well as an awareness of the wider industry issues relating to the EV marketplace. Their after-sales departments will also comply with compulsory manufacturer training and require specialist tools to enable the service and maintenance of electric vehicles."

All Mitsubishi EV Centres will have Mitsubishi i-MiEV demonstrator vehicles that will be available for customers to properly test and experience over a prolonged period so they can discover for themselves what it is like to drive and 'own' an electric vehicle in real-life conditions.

This will make Mitsubishi the largest EV dealer network in the UK providing sales and after-sales coverage; however Nissan have an established network and Renault have just open their first batch of EV dealerships with the start of their Z.E. range sales. I addition to electric vehicle manufacturer dealerships, each public charging point in the UK can be located using Next Green Car's Zap-Map.